STONE HARBOR – The borough plans to reorganize part of the Police Department, eliminating the position of captain in favor of two lieutenants, eliminating the position of detective sergeant and reducing the number of sworn officers from 18 to 17.
There was disagreement among council members over the police chief’s stance on the reorganization plan, introduced by the council in an ordinance March 18. Council member Ken Biddick said that the impetus for the reorganization was to save money.
Much of what has motivated calls by some members of the public for greater transparency by the council is linked to the struggle the borough faces to keep the 2025 budget under the state-imposed 3.5% appropriation cap. The public has asked for more context since they know little more than that there is a budget problem.
Resident Joanne Vaul used the public comment period at the March 18 meeting to tell the council that “it is time we hear.” She asked for an “update on the DCA report.”
Vaul was referring to a consulting study undertaken at the borough’s request by the Local Assistance Bureau, a subdivision of the state Department of Community Affairs. The study involves state consultants reviewing borough finances and operations to see where efficiencies might be gained. The lead consultant on the study is a former police chief; the study is still underway.
At one point prior to the vote to introduce the police reorganization ordinance, Councilwoman Robin Casper said she had reservations about the move, which she said was not favored by recently appointed Police Chief Christopher Palmer.
Council President Frank Dallahan challenged that characterization, saying that the chief fully supported the plan. The chief was the individual who drafted the plan and submitted it to the council Committee on Public Safety, Dallahan added.
But Casper said she had discussed it with Palmer just before the meeting. She said the chief produced a reorganization plan when he was told he needed to reduce the department budget and that the borough needed to find funds to meet state cap requirements.
At one point, as Casper detailed her discussion with Palmer, Dallahan challenged her comments as incorrect information concerning the chief’s position on the reorganization.
Palmer came to the podium himself to clarify his position. He said the department as currently structured was performing as efficiently as he had ever experienced in his 21 years of service, and that there was “no operational need for a change.”
He added that the reorganization he submitted was his attempt to find a structure that could work for the department while meeting what he had been told was a dire need for reducing expenses in the borough.
“I am a team player,” Palmer said, adding he submitted the plan when he saw that the council was behind cuts to the department. He explained the differences between what Dallahan and Casper felt they heard by saying the plan was devised for a situation where “we have to make the cuts and not because it strengthens the department to do it.”
Anthony Tirelli, an elected union representative in the Police Department, said the council is showing a level of disrespect to the department and its officers with the reorganization. Tirelli has addressed the council in recent meetings over the fact that the department has operated without a contract for more than 14 months.
He complained that the reorganization comes with no prior notice to the union and accused the council of a total breakdown in communications.
Tirelli brought up the decision to add career paid firefighters to what had been an all-volunteer Fire Department. Officials have indicated that that commitment is what absorbed the flexibility that remained in the municipal budget appropriations level. The budgets following that decision pushed the borough closer to the appropriations cap ceiling.
Tirelli’s point was that the Police Department should not have to pay the price for that decision. Biddick argued that the decision on firefighters was necessary and that what handicaps the borough are the state rules.
A public hearing on the reorganization ordinance has been scheduled for the council meeting on April 15 at 5 p.m. in borough hall. At that time there may also be a vote on whether to adopt the ordinance.
Contact the reporter, Vince Conti, at vconti@cmcherald.com.
